Fun Fact

While similar to “gourmet,” a gourmand is more about quantity than refinement. The word has French roots and once had a negative connotation—today it can imply either joyful indulgence or over-the-top appetite, depending on tone.

Fun Fact

The word comes from Proteus, a Greek sea god who could change shape at will. In modern use, it’s often applied to creative talents, politicians, or technologies that constantly reinvent themselves.

Fun Fact

“Surfeit” was frequently used in 18th-century medical writing, when overindulgence in food and drink was thought to cause all kinds of imbalances. Today, the word is often used playfully to describe streaming queues, inboxes, or overbooked calendars.

Fun Fact

“Upbraid” was common in Elizabethan English, and Shakespeare used it over a dozen times in plays like Othello and Hamlet. It’s harsher than a gentle rebuke but often used where correction is needed more than punishment.

Fun Fact

“Iniquity” is often used in religious texts and classical literature to describe moral failings on a large scale—as in “dens of iniquity.” It’s more than just wrongdoing; it implies a system or culture that is deeply unjust.

Fun Fact

“Resplendent” often appears in historical novels and fantasy epics, describing radiant appearances, lavish outfits, or glowing landscapes. It’s a go-to word for royalty, pageantry, and those magical movie scenes that take your breath away.